Replaceable heel-lifts



Nov. 5, 1963 H. F. THIESSEN REPLACEABLE HEEL-LIFTS Filed April 19, 1961 FIG.

HENRY F. THIESSEN IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,1e9,247 REPLACEABLE HEEL-LIFTS Henry F. Thiessen, 762 Seminole Ave, St.- Paul 7, Minn. Filed Apr. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 104,056 3 Claims. (Cl. 36-42) This invention relates to an improvement in providing a shoe owner with self-replaceable heel-lifts and reinforcing fastening structure therefor. More particularly the preferred improvement relates to providing individual shoe owners with improved detachable, interchangeable and replaceable heel-lifts for plastic, steel and wood heels on womens shoes, which do not require the use of shoe makers tools and equipment, and which have the faculty of reinforcing the heel structure.

Heretofore, practical heel-lifts, known and used in this art, have required replacement by a shoemaker or with shoemakers tools. Some prior heel-lifts, which are replaceable, have been found not to securely hold and stay locked when the heel lift is twisted or caught. Such structures, in general, lack a dual effect of heel reinforcement structure. Otherwise, other of the known types of heel-lifts will destroy plastic heels when pulled therefrom or attempted to be applied. Therefore a more universal unitary readily replaceable structure which is securely mounted and combines heel reinforcement is needed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement in making heel-lifts which are easily and readily replaceable by a shoe wearer without the necessity of utilizing shoemakers tools and which provides in combination a reinforcement for strengthen ng thin and narrow high heel structure.

Another object is to provide an improved readily replaceable heel-lift structure comprising a combination of heel reinforcing guide for narrow thin high heels provided with -a multiple resilient holding structure as snapon and oil? lock structure cooperatively associated with a readily removable and replaceable further reinforcing and strengthening rod structure mounting a heel-lift to the narrow heel end, and that does not require a shoemaker and his tools to repair, fashion and lit.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description in relationship to the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of heel structure combined with its heel strengthening and reinforcing replaceable heel-lift, as embodied herein;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heel reinforcing and locking structure shown in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the replaceable heel-lift shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modification of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of high heel structure showing a modified easily replaceable heel-lift insert structure.

In the preferred structure of FIGURE 1, the heel portion It is an exemplary conventional wood, as shown, or plastic narrow heel of a conventional height on the order of about 2 to about 3 inches. Such heels are attachable to shoes in a conventional manner and as known to the art. Ladies high heels are conventionally known as formed of wood, plastic or metal, as aluminum or steel, and provided with a wide enlarged top portion 11 which is tapered to a narrow shank portion 12 ending in a very small bottom or lower heel portion 13. The indicated heel portion may be molded of plastic material, for purposes of exemplification in this disclosure.

The heel portion 16 is molded or formed with bore 3 ,169,247 Patented Nov. 5, 1963 extending therethrough. The bore 15 is essentially of narrow tube like shape extending from lower heel portion 13 through the shank portion 12 and provided at the heel attaching portion 11 with an enlarged socket 16, forming a relative receptacle, in the broad portion 11 of heel 10.

Within the bore 15 there is mounted a heel reinforcing sleeve or guide tube 18 of steel or other suitable structure. The tube 18 has a long shank end 19 extending from the end 13 throughout the length of the shank portion 12 of heel 1t} and having an enlarged upper portion 2% which seats into the socket 16. The tube 18 is adapted to fit snugly within the bore 15 and be held in a relatively stationary relationship within the heel it This tube 18 may be forced downwardly into the bore 15 or the'heel it) may be molded and formed about tube 18. In either case the enlarged end 2% is adapted to be seated in the enlargement 16 and provide snap-on and oif attachment means for an insert pin attaching a heel-lift to lower heel portion 13, as herein described.

'The portion 20, of tube 18, is provided, for example, as an enlargement provided with snap-on fastening means for pin 23 and serving to securely mount and hold the heel-lift in place. Internally of the enlarged portion 20 are preferably a plurality of internal flanges, or radial ribs 21 and 22, extending inwardly as relatively resilient ring like structures, having central openings with diameters slightly less than the internal diameter of the elongated shank end 19 of tube 18.

Thus, as hereinafter pointed out, the upper tube portion 20 provides relatively resilient fastener openings through 1 which an upper end of pin 23 is forced and locks the heel-lift 24 in position against the small heel end 13. The pin 23 is an elongated rod of steel or other suitable material having at its relative upper end one or more notches, as at 27, 28 and 29. The notches 27, 28 and 29' are cut into the pin 23 to an approximate depth which permits the inner peripheries of flanges 21 and 22 to fit thereinto. Opposite the snap fastening end and at the lower end of pin 23 there is provided a slightly enlarged integral head 25, or other suitable attachment means,

about which the heel-lift 24 is molded or otherwise secured in a suitable manner.

The pin 23 is preferably provided with a slight protruding rib 26 adapted toslide into a slot 26' cut into the lower shank end 19 of tube 18. This rib 26, when properly inserted in slot 26', positions the lift in proper relationship to the heel and also prevents turning of the pin and lift. As known to the art such heel-lift material is made of leather, wood, plastic, steel or such other suitable material and provided in various colors and shape to match or contrast with the heels and shoes to which the heels are attached. Many times it is desired only to change the relative color of the heel-lifts to fit a desired event. Heretofore this required a different pair of shoes or replacement by a shoemaker, insofar as any shoes purchasable on the market are concerned.

Herein, for purposes of illustration, the heel-lift 24 is a hard, plastic or leather material shaped and molded about the head 25. Such lifts may be pigmented, dyed or otherwise painted in the color desired. Thus, when the lifts are desired to be temporarily or permanently changed, it requires only slipping a thin knife edge or fingernail file edge between the edge of lower end 13 and lift 24 to unsnap the notches 27, 28 and 29' from the interfitting internal holding edges of the radial flanges 21 and 22.

As illustrated in the preferred structure demonstrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the heel it for example, is a standard 2 inch heel having a 2 inch center aperture. With the tube 18 then being 2% inches in overall length crack.

and the pin 23, from the lift up, 2. inches in length. Thus, the top notch 29 is adapted to be forced past the internal edge of flange 21, while the internal ends of radial flanges 21 and 22 fit into the notches 28 and 27, respectively. This multiple lock usually serves, when the lift catches in a crack, as is oftentimes the case, to keep the heel-lift from being torn off, as it then will be only partially loosened or pin 23 slips to a point where notch 29 is caught by rib 21 or 22. Then the lift can be easily snapped back in place. Otherwise, as often happens, it is desired to replace or temporarily change the color of the lift. This can be done by having the desired colored lift mounting on a suitable like pin 23 for handily replacing the one on the heel. Thus, there is provided relatively easily interchangeable lifts which require only the strength of the hand and fingers to replace, without the use of a shoemakers tools or destruction of either the heel or the lift structure.

In addition the thin heel 10 is stronger by reason of the multiple reinforcement provided by the guide tube 18 in combination with the pin 23.

While the above preferred structure is found to be most desirable for affording a multiple lock in combination with reinforcing the heel structure and overcoming wear and undue strain on the lift, other less preferred structure may be used to reduce the cost. For example, the modified structure provided in FIGURE 4 illustrates a similar heel 10' with its tapering narrow shank portion 12', bore 15', guide tube 18' and pin 23' attaching a lift (not shown) to the heel 10. In this case, while the notches 23 and 29' may be reduced in number, it is preferred to standardize the pins 23 and 25, so they will fit either of the two structures. As illustrated the notch 27' is adapted to be engaged by the internal flange or radial rib 21'. Thus, while it may be possible to have only the one notch 27, it is preferred that the pin end have a plurality of notches as a means for preventing the lift from being too easily twisted or torn off in the case of its being accidentally caught or wedged in a As indicated, the lift might be accidentally loosened but the preferred arrangement of multiple notches will ordinarily prevent the lift from being torn completely loose. In addition, the elongated pins 23 and 23, in combination with the guide tubes '18 and 18, provides for reinforcing narrow and thin heel structures, and aids in preventing breaking of the heel structure or loosening of the lift upon some undue side or angular strains in normal walking.

In other cases and particularly with extremely small thin high metal heels a further modification utilizing only the elongated replaceable pin 23 and its attached lift 24 can be utilized without the addition of the heel reinforcing guide in the aperture. In this instance the heel structure 30 is usually formed of aluminum or steel and provided with a center bore 31 through which the elongated pin 23 will slide to fit the lift 24 against the narrow end 32 of the heel 39. The upper open end 33 of bore 31 is preferably enlarged in order to mount a fastener element 34 therein. This fastener element is preferably driven into place to bind against the side Walls of the bore or may otherwise be spot welded and held in position. After the heel'is attached to the shoe it is preferred that the fastener element 34 be in a stationary relationship relative to the ingress and egress of pin 23. The fastener element 34 preferably has a pair of internal radial flanges or ribs 35 and 36 which are adapted to snap into and out of the'notches 27, 28 and 29, and operable in a similar manner as heretofore described with regard to FIGURES 1 and 2. In this instance the thin pin23 is more subject to breakage as it is without the preferred reinforcing sleeve or guide tube. In addition, the fastener element 34 may have the less preferable structure of a single rib 35 or 36 and a sole locking notch near the end of the pin 23.

From the above description of my improved structure relative to standard high heels, it will be readily apparent that for slightly shorter heels or longer heels modified structure of relatively shorter or longer guide tube and pin mountings are required. Further, it will be recognized that with this improved structure any owner needs carry only an extra lift if one is to be replaced at the time it may be desired or needed. Such replacement may be done on the spot and does not. require finding. a shoe repairman. It will be recognized that uniform guide tube and pin length for longnarrow heels of varying lengths may be provided. Also, that with my preferred. improved combination of sleeve and lift mounting structure, the. heel is strengthened and the lift itself securely fastened against normal wear and tear, besidesaffording easily, replaceable and interchange lifts for different shoes, ordinarily of the same shaped heel-tips and corresponding size for obtaining a proper fit. Different rod lengths for different height heels may be provided or the rod lengths and fasteners therefor standardized to be interchangeable.

From the above description it will be recognized that some modification and variation of the improvements described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and terms of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a heel structure of about 2 to'3 v inches in length having a broad top portion tapering to a lower narrow heel portion and having a central bore;

extending therethrough from said broad top portion to said lower narrow heel portion, a replaceable elongated pin extending through said bore having a heel-lift mounted on one end of said'pin and fitted against said lower narrow heel portion, a resilient pin fastener lockingelement comprising inwardly projecting ribs mounted in said broad top portion about the end of said bore,

and a series of notches on the end of said pin opposite said heel-lift andcooperable in a snap-on and snap-off engagement with said ribs of said fastener locking element to hold and secure said pin in said bore and mount said heel-lift against said lower narrow heel portion.-

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said fastener locking element is mounted on an elongated guide tube within said bore and through which said elongated pinv extends.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein saidfastenerlocking element comprises a. series of ribs projecting inwardly from said guide tube and said pin is provided with a series of notches in cooperable engagement-with 

1. IN COMBINATION, A HEEL STRUCTURE OF ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES IN LENGTH HAVING A BROAD TOP PORTION TAPERING TO A LOWER NARROW HEEL PORTION AND HAVING A CENTRAL BORE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FROM SAID BROAD TOP PORTION TO SAID LOWER NARROW HEEL PORTION, A REPLACEABLE ELONGATED PIN EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BORE HAVING A HEEL-LIFT MOUNTED ON ONE END OF SAID PIN AND FITTED AGAINST SAID LOWER NARROW HEEL PORTION, A RESILIENT PIN FASTENER LOCKING ELEMENT COMPRISING INWARDLY PROJECTING RIBS MOUNTED IN SAID BROAD TOP PORTION ABOUT THE END OF SAID BORE, AND A SERIES OF NOTCHES ON THE END OF SAID PIN OPPOSITE SAID HEEL-LIFT AND COOPERABLE IN A SNAP-ON AND SNAP-OFF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RIBS OF SAID FASTENER LOCKING ELEMENT TO HOLD AND SECURE SAID PIN IN SAID BORE AND MOUNT SAID HEEL-LIFT AGAINST SAID LOWER NARROW HEEL PORTION. 